Love, Legacy, and Little Green Aliens
Give a warm welcome to Sadira Stone, author of Love, Legacy, and Little Green Aliens just released on March 21, 2024! Yep, that’s today and I love that title! Happy Book Birthday, Sadira!
Everyone, pull up a chair, grab a drink of your choice from the cooler, a Chocolate Chip or Peanut Butter cookie from the plate, and let’s find out a little about Sadira and her Love, Legacy, and Little Green Aliens!
Love, Legacy, and Little Green Aliens was inspired by Marsh’s Free Museum, a sublimely eclectic and funky souvenir emporium in Long Beach, WA. In addition to a huge collection of seashells and all the beachy souvenirs, they also display weird taxidermized creatures (two-headed piglet, two-headed calf, shrunken heads), antique penny-arcade games, and Jake “the Alligator Man”—probably a mummified monkey sewn to an alligator’s body. I loooove this place, and for LLLGA I tweaked it by adding alien-themed tchotchkes.
I do love tacky, quirky beach towns, and that’s the atmosphere you’ll find in the Trappers Cove romance series, inspired by all the funky beach towns I’ve visited in Washington State, Oregon, and Northern California.
I had so much fun researching UFO believers and their “alien encounters” for this book. Xander Anagnos, an entrepreneur with a history of failed businesses, inherits his Uncle Gus’s alien-themed souvenir shop and must deal with interference from UFO researchers who believe the site contains a Cosmic Vortex used to communicate with extraterrestrial visitors!
If aliens aren’t interesting enough, there’s also a family curse and a ghost standing between Xander and his plans to renovate Souvenir Planet, so of course I had to research ghostly encounters and ghost removal. Fascinating!
But Xander’s biggest obstacle is Hannah Leone, a beautiful local journalist desperate to save the Trappers Cove Beacon, the small-town newspaper her family has run for generations. Souvenir Planet and all its ET weirdness is the biggest story to hit Trappers Cove in ages, and she’s not going to let a pesky crush on Xander stand between her and saving the Beacon—and the soul of Trappers Cove.
The death of local journalism is a topic dear to my heart, because without dedicated news coverage, citizens lose their agency to affect change in their communities—or to preserve their communities from rampaging gentrification, as in the case of Trappers Cove.
Tell us a little more about Love, Legacy, and Little Green Aliens.
HEA vs. a curse, a ghost, and a plague of ETs.
According to the Anagnos family curse, second son Xander is doomed to failure. When he inherits his Uncle Gus’s business in Trappers Cove, Washington, Xander jumps at the chance to prove himself. Of course, he plans to remake the schlocky, alien-themed souvenir shop into something trendier and more upmarket. Who wouldn’t want that?
Hannah Leone, that’s who. Reporter for the Trappers Cove Beacon, Hannah is hell-bent on protecting Souvenir Planet, the beloved icon that draws thousands of tourists to their quirky beach town. The Beacon is struggling to survive, and there’s no way Hannah will let an inconvenient crush stand between her and the biggest story to hit Trappers Cove in ages.
Caught in a battle of wills and sizzling desire, Xander and Hannah discover the bizarre depths of Uncle Gus’s alien obsession. When disaster strikes, they’ll need Xander’s innovation and Hannah’s connections to save Souvenir Planet. But if these hard-headed foes don’t lay down their arms, the town they love will pay the price.
Come back to Trappers Cove for a steamy, laugh-out-loud, rivals-to-lovers romance full of found family, beachy fun, and out-of-this-world mystery.
UBL: https://books2read.com/LoveLegacyLittleGreenAliens
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/201064446-love-legacy-and-little-green-aliens
A sneak peek between the pages of Love, Legacy, and Little Green Aliens
Xander explains his family curse to Hannah:
“Don’t change the subject.” A dozen battered clam strips tumbled onto her plate when she lifted her po’boy. “You were going to tell me what makes you tick.” She chomped into the sandwich and closed her eyes on a moan.
“I was?” A warning tickled down his spine. She was doing it again—teasing out details he didn’t intend to share.
Then again, why not get an unbiased opinion?
He clasped her hand. “Promise me I’ll never see these words in your newspaper?”
She crossed her heart, her expression solemn and attentive.
“I’ve never talked about this with anyone outside my family.”
The corners of her mouth ticked up. “In that case, I’m honored.”
Just do it, coward.
He sucked in a breath. “There’s this thing in my family that goes way back to the old country. The curse of the second son.”
“You’re a second son, I take it?”
“Yeah. So was Gus.”
“And what does this curse entail?”
He twirled his spoon in his soup. “Supposedly, second sons are doomed to failure. Business, divorce, you name it. Whatever we try, we fail.”
She made a delicate snort. “Well, that’s clearly not true. I mean, look at Gus. He was married to Martha for how many years?”
“But she died.”
She shrugged. “Everyone dies.”
“And they never had kids.”
“Maybe they didn’t want kids. I think the shop was his baby.” She sipped her beer and wiped foam from her cheek. “He put a lot of love into that place. I felt it every time I walked through his doors. Souvenir Planet buzzed with upbeat energy. Every shelf, every wall, every corner was stuffed with something to make you smile.”
He stifled a snarky laugh. “Spiderwebs make you smile?”
She grasped his forearm as if yanking him back to the topic at hand. “The point is, Gus was far from a failure. Everyone loved him.” Her hand slid down to cover his, her touch satin-soft. “And you’re not a failure either.”
It would take a lot more than a pretty woman’s kind words to make him believe that. “My last few business ventures tanked. But Gus’s place is my chance to break the curse, to prove them wrong.”
“Who, your family?”
“Yeah.” Chuckling, he rubbed the bridge of his nose. “You’d think by my age I’d be over it, but their pity really gets under my skin. It’s a shitty feeling, knowing they’ll always see me through that lens.”
She scooted closer on their shared bench and—God help him—squeezed his knee, her eyes brimming with sympathy. “I’m sorry you’re going through that, Xander. You’re a good man. You deserve better.”
About the Author:
Award-winning contemporary romance author Sadira Stone spins steamy, smoochy tales set in small businesses—a quirky bookstore, a neighborhood bar, a vintage boutique. Set in the U.S. Pacific Northwest, her stories highlight found family, friendship, and the sizzling chemistry that pulls unlikely partners together. When she emerges from her writing cave in Las Vegas, Nevada (which she seldom does), she can be found shaking her hips in dance class, playing her guitar (badly, but getting better), exploring the Western U.S. with her charming husband, cooking up a storm, and gobbling all the romance books. For a guaranteed HEA (and no cliffhangers!) visit Sadira at https://sadirastone.com
Visits: 129
Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged Love Legacy and Little Green Aliens, Mystery, Romance, Sadira Stone by Tena Stetler with 2 comments.
Was Saint Valentine’s Day Started by the Candy Companies?
It’s February, the month of love. Right? Valentines Day and all that fun stuff. The answer to my question is a resounding NO. The history of Valentine’s Day actually finds its roots in ancient Rome and Victorian England, and it’s not as rosy as you might want to believe.
The Catholic church has records of at least three different martyrs named Valentine or Valentinus. One of them, a priest in third-century Rome, defied the emperor Claudius when he decided to outlaw marriage for young men. Valentine continued performing marriage ceremonies for the lovers in secret, and Claudius had him killed for it when he found out.
Another Valentine supposedly helped Christians escape from prison, and was also martyred for it. Yet another one is said to have sent the first “Valentine” letter from prison, allegedly to the jailor’s daughter. Legend has it, he signed the note, “from your Valentine,” a greeting we still use today.
Whichever saint the holiday memorializes, we generally agree he was kind, heroic and most importantly, very much pro-love.
Another thought, historians believe that Valentine’s Day commemorates the death of St. Valentine on February 14, others believe that the holiday actually has its origins in a Pagan fertility festival called “Lupercalia,” which was celebrated on February 15 in ancient Rome. Dedicated to Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture, and Roman founders Romulus and Remus
Now lets turn to today Valentine’s Day is celebrated in Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, France, Australia and the United States, although it’s most common in the U.K. and the U.S. Americans likely began exchanging handmade cards in the early 1700s. But it was the 1840’s when Esther A. Howland really changed the game. She began selling the first mass-produced cards in the country. Known as the “Mother of the Valentine,” she created elaborate pieces of art that had real lace, ribbons and colorful pictures known as “scrap.”
Now how about Cupid? According to Time, the figure can actually be traced all the way back to 700 B.C., to the Greek god of love named Eros, who was actually a handsome, immortal man with the intimidating power to make people fall in love.
Now about the flowers, giving red roses may be an obvious romantic gesture today, but it wasn’t until the late 17th century that giving flowers became a popular custom.
The practice can be traced back to when King Charles II of Sweden learned the “language of flowers” — which pairs different flowers with specific meanings — on a trip to Persia, and subsequently introduced the tradition to Europe.
A whopping 250 million roses are grown in preparation for Valentine’s Day each year. Whew, that’s a lot of roses!
While a red rose has traditionally symbolized love, many other colors like deep pink, purple or white, which symbolize happiness, royalty and sympathy respectively, may be given on the holiday too. Personally, I love the bright yellow universally known as symbols of friendship 
or the deep purple used for symbolizing love at first sight. Yep is was love at first sight between my hubby and I.
Also, people spend millions of dollars on gifts for their pets. I slowly raise my hand. I just purchased a shredder toy for my parrot, and a squeaky toy for my dog. So I’m among the American households spent an estimated $751.3 million on gifts for their pets on Valentine’s Day. WOW!
The most popular gift of all, Candy. The first heart-shaped box of chocolates was introduced in 1861 created by Richard Cadbury. Today, more than 36 million heart-shaped boxes of chocolates are sold each year. That’s 58 million pounds of chocolate!
Did you know that conversational hearts got their start as medical lozenges? Strangely, the story of conversation hearts began in 1847 when a Boston pharmacist named Oliver Chase invented a machine that simplified the way medical lozenges are made. The result was America’s first candy-making machine, because the pharmacist soon started shifting his focus from making lozenges to candy instead!
In 1866, Daniel Chase, brother of Oliver, devised a way to press words onto the candy lozenges, using a felt roller pad moistened with vegetable coloring (usually red). These conversational candies were not heart-shaped until 1902.
The candy lozenges became what we know today as Necco wafers. After acquisition of Stark Candy Company in 1990, Necco claims to produce about 100,000 pounds of Sweethearts every day, ramping up mid-September to meet the demand for product on Valentines Day. It produces approximately 8 billion candy hearts each year popular for other events as well such as weddings. That’s a lot of candy hearts. Myself, I like the sweet-tart candy hearts.
Well, there you have it’s just like love, complex yet so simple — Happy Valentine’s Day.
Visits: 246
Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog, My Say What Blog and tagged Candy hearts, Chocolate Hearts, Romance, Valentine's Day Facts by Tena Stetler with comments disabled.
Spotlight on Unexpected by Jana Richards
Give a warm welcome to Jana Richards author of Unexpected, third book in the Masonville Series. Pull up a chair, grab a drink of your choice from the cooler, a Chocolate Chip or Peanut Butter cookie from the plate, and let’s shine the spotlight on Jana and Unexpected!
Tell us a little about Unexpected?
Single dad Ben Greyson wants only to retain custody of his two stepdaughters. A dysfunctional childhood has made family the most important thing in his life. When his late wife’s parents sue for custody, a desperate Ben is left with two choices – run away with his girls or marry his next-door neighbor.
Jamie Garven wants to be a mother. She’s intrigued by her handsome new neighbor and falls in love with his little girls. Then Ben is faced with losing his children, and Jamie agrees to marry him for a chance at motherhood. They’re determined to show the world, and the girls’ grandparents, two loving parents.
Their marriage of convenience turns into unexpected love. But Ben interprets Jamie’s efforts to save their family as betrayal—they could lose everything, including each other.
How about a peek between the pages of Unexpected?
Jamie didn’t sleep the rest of the night. The logical part of her brain told her if Ben lost custody it wasn’t her fault. Circumstances beyond her control, and Ben’s, had conspired against them. But guilt and worry wouldn’t let her rest.
The crazy thing was she could see the four of them together as a family. And she could see herself with Ben. She’d been fighting her feelings for him since the day they met. Learning he was a recovering alcoholic was a shock, but she knew he was much more than that. He was kind and funny, and a loving father.
But he didn’t love her.
She remembered what it was like to watch, day by day, as Carson fell a little more out of love with her. Every day another piece of her soul withered. To the outside world they probably still looked like a happy couple. But she could feel Carson pull away bit by bit, like water trickling out of a broken vase. It was in the awkward silences between them, the unexplained absences, the times he didn’t reach for her in the night.
Eventually the slow trickle turned into a torrent and he was gone. It had nearly destroyed her.
Could she live with a man who didn’t love her for a second time? Could she willingly step into a relationship, knowing it would likely end the same way her relationship to Carson ended?
Thoughts and emotions whirled in her brain, making her dizzy.
At four a.m. she gave up all pretense of sleep. She went to the kitchen for a drink of water and as she ran the tap, she saw the lights were on in Ben’s house. He probably couldn’t sleep either.
What must he be going through? She couldn’t imagine losing a child.
The old longing ache she’d worked so hard to dispel pressed on her heart. This is your chance, her heart whispered. Maybe your only chance to have children.
Jamie groaned out load. She couldn’t say no. Ben and the girls needed her.
Yet how could she say yes and expose herself to almost certain heartbreak?
Maybe some things were more important. Maybe it was enough to be a mother to the girls and create a family with them. She couldn’t expect Ben to love her as well. It was asking too much.
She couldn’t let him lose the girls. And she couldn’t let her one chance to be a mother slip away.
Buy Links:
Amazon ~ B & N ~ iBooks Good Reads Bookbub
About the Author:
When Jana Richards read her first romance novel, she immediately knew two things: she had to commit the stories running through her head to paper, and they had to end with a happily ever after. She also knew she’d found what she was meant to do. Since then she’s never met a romance genre she didn’t like. She writes contemporary romance, romantic suspense, and historical romance set in World War Two, in lengths ranging from short story to full length novel. Just for fun, she throws in generous helpings of humor, and the occasional dash of the paranormal. Her paranormal romantic suspense “Seeing Things” was a 2008 EPPIE finalist.
In her life away from writing, Jana is an accountant/admin assistant, a mother to two grown daughters, and a wife to her husband Warren. She enjoys golf, yoga, movies, concerts, travel and reading, not necessarily in that order. She and her husband live in Winnipeg, Canada. She loves to hear from readers and can be reached through her website at www.janarichards.com
Social Media Links:
Website: http://www.janarichards.com
Blog: http://janarichards.blogspot.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/JanaRichardsAuthor
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/JanaRichards_
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/author/janarichards
Amazon UK Author Page: http://www.amazon.co.uk/-/e/B002DEVWWG
Newsletter Signup: http://janarichards.com/contact.html#newsletter
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2892274Jana_Richards
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jana-richards
It’s been great having you with us today. Good luck with Unexpected!
Visits: 85
Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged addition, friends to lovers, Jana Richards, Masonville Series, Romance, second-chance love, Small town contemporary romance, Unexpected by Tena Stetler with 1 comment.
Interview Debby Grahl Author of Mountain Blaze
Give a warm welcome to Debby Grahl, author of Mountain Blaze! Pull up a chair, grab a drink of your choice from the cauldron. Take your choice of a bat wing Chocolate Chip or Pumpkin, or Peanut Butter cookie from the plate. Debby I see you’ve brought guests.
I have. Meet Dillon McCoy and Diana Thompson from Mountain Blaze.
Pleasure to meet all three of you. Lets put Dillon in the hot seat first. <Host rubbers her hands together and snickers>
Tells us about the real you—
Howdy, I’m Dillon McCoy. As far back as I can remember, I’ve loved horses. I’d sit for hours watching rodeo competitions on TV. I went to college out west, and as soon as I graduated, I began riding the rodeo circuit. And I’m proud to say, I won both a silver and gold medal.
Tell us three things we’d find if we looked under your bed?
Rodeo magazines, a missing sock or two, and some Louis Lamour paperbacks.
What makes you laugh out loud?
Getting a perfect score in bronc riding or calf roping. And playing a prank on my younger cousins.
What makes you angry?
Bullies. I have no tolerance for anyone who mistreats children, animals, or women.
What event in your past has left the most indelible impression on you?
That would be when my best friend Stew was severely hurt. It should have been me.
What do you most value? Family, friendship, honesty, trust, and love.
.What do you sleep in at night? Nothing.
Man after my own heart. LOL
What is the type of woman you want to spend the rest of your life with?
She must have a sense of humor, enjoy a quiet night sitting by the fire, and have good old time dancing to country music. She’d need to like horses, camping, and the outdoors. Oh, and lots of sex.
What do you consider most important in life? Family and old friendships.
What is your biggest secret? I don’t like snakes.
Thank you so much for being here Dillon. Now let’s move on to Diana. Ready?
I think so.
Who are you really?
Hello, I’m Diana Thompson. I grew up in a wealthy Philadelphia suburb. I attended private schools and received my teaching degree from the University of North Carolina. I enjoy reading Jane Austen and Agatha Christie, rummaging in antique shops, and collecting cranberry glass. I enjoy touring wineries and shopping in New York City.
Tell us three things we’d find if we looked under your bed?
Nothing. I’m a very neat person.
What makes you laugh out loud?
Reruns of I Love Lucy, and kittens and puppies playing.
What makes you angry? Being lied to and intentional cruelty.
What do you sleep in at night? Silk nightgowns or pajamas.
Who were the biggest role models in your life?
I have admiration for strong independent women. People like Susan B Anthony.
What kind of man do you want to spend the rest of your life with?
Someone who’s thoughtful, loving, and is somewhat romantic, with similar interests in music, books, travel, and entertainment.
What kind of man would you never choose?
Someone who thinks too much of himself. Someone who’s a know-it-all, cruel and overbearing.
What is most important to you in life? Family, friendships, and honesty.
What is your biggest fear? Heights.
Thank you Diana, lets turn to your creature. Debby!
Tell us a little about writing this story. Was it fun or difficult? Do your characters always act as you expect? Are you a plotter, or fly (write) by the seat of your pants?
I thoroughly enjoyed writing Mountain Blaze. With only a few mishaps, my characters all behaved themselves. I do write by the seat of my pants, but I pretty well knew where I was going with this story. I love both the ocean and mountains. I live near the ocean, and thankfully my cousins live a few hours away in North Carolina. The idea for Mountain Blaze came to me while we were all touring the area around Asheville, NC. It was Fall, and the spectacular display of color against the backdrop of the Smoky Mountains was breathtaking. We hiked a while and discovered a scenic overlook which revealed a stream winding through the valley below.
We came upon a small ranch with cabins to rent and horseback riding. As we waited for the horses to be saddled for a trail ride, my writer’s imagination replaced the nice older man with a handsome cowboy. Now, what would be his story? As we rode through the lush woods, the air fragrant with the smell of pine, Dillon McCoy took shape in my mind.
We drove down the mountain into Waynesville. This is a great little town where I discovered Mast General. A fun old-fashioned country store, this is one of my favorite places to shop. We decided to stop in a café, and while sipping a delicious cup of coffee, I noticed an attractive woman seated at an adjacent table. Her clothes were stylish. She looked as if she had just walked off Fifth Avenue. Once again, my writer’s imagination took over, and Diana Thompson was born. Now, what circumstances could bring the cowboy and the wealthy city girl together?
In all my books, I like to have some type of mystery. So not only do Diana and Dillon need to meet, they must discover what outside force is determined to keep them apart and endanger their lives.
Tell us more about Mountain Blaze!
Disillusioned by his wife’s betrayal, rodeo star Dillon McCoy comes home to the mountains of North Carolina to lick his wounds. When he agrees to take over the family ranch, the Lazy M, he’s unaware danger waits.
Diana Thompson is having doubts about her engagement to Trent Sawyer. She agrees to leave Chapel Hill and spend Thanksgiving with her friend Jenn at the Lazy M. When Diana and Dillon meet, neither can deny their attraction, but both must resolve past relationships while fighting their growing desire.
After Dillon turns down an anonymous offer to purchase the ranch, attempts are made on his life. When a body is found, Dillon sets out to discover who wants the McCoy land enough to commit murder.
Buy links
Amazon Author Page — https://www.amazon.com/Debby-Grahl/e/B00B34HM26
B&N —https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/Debby+Grahl?_requestid=5525094
How about a sneak peek between the pages of Mountain Blaze?
Dillon smiled and Diana thought it the sexiest smile she’d ever seen. There was a slight cleft in his chin, and fine lines formed at the corners of his eyes. Diana inwardly groaned. The butterflies were back.
“I’d hold onto you. I wouldn’t let you fall,” he softly said.
With his slow southern accent, the words sounded like warm honey rolling off his tongue. The depth of his eyes and the sound of his voice mesmerized her.
The horses stood side by side. Her and Dillon’s legs touched. He leaned toward her, and the light aroma of wood smoke, hay, and his spicy cologne filled her nostrils. Diana knew what he was about to do but had no willpower to stop him. He cupped her cheek and their lips met.
Gentle at first, his lips glided over hers. He increased the pressure until she opened her mouth and his tongue slipped in. Diana moaned and wrapped her arms around his neck. His arms around her waist, he deepened the kiss. Before she realized what he was doing, without breaking their kiss Dillon lifted her from Flora and placed her across his lap.
Cradled in his arms, Diana clung to him, delicious sensations filling her. Her body came alive in a way that surprised her. The only thing that mattered was this man and this moment.
Flame moved, bringing her back to reality. Diana’s eyes fluttered open, and she stared into Dillon’s, deep with passion and need.
About the author:
Award winning author, Debby Grahl, lives on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, with her husband, David. Besides writing, she enjoys biking, walking on the beach and a glass of wine at sunset. Her favorite places to visit are New Orleans, New York City, Captiva Island in Florida, the Cotswolds of England, and her home state of Michigan. She is a history buff who also enjoys reading murder mysteries, time travel, and, of course, romance. Visually impaired since childhood by Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP), she uses screen-reading software to research and write her books. His Magic Touch, a paranormal romance, was released by Wild Rose Press December 5, 2018. Her latest book, Mountain Blaze, will be released November 2.
You can find Debby at the following:
Website — www.debbygrahl.com
Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/debbygrahlauthor?ref=br_rs
Bookbub — https://www.bookbub.com/search/authors?search=debby%20grahl
Twitter — https://twitter.com/DebbyGrahl
It’s been great having you with us today. Good luck with Mountain Blaze!
Visits: 312
Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged Debby Grahl, Mountain Blaze, Mystery, North Carolina, Romance by Tena Stetler with 15 comments.
